Abstract:
The oyster mushroom, renowned for its nutritional and medicinal value, faces challenges in
cultivation due to the widespread use of chemicals causing pollution and health risks. To counter
this, the utilization of organic waste in mushroom cultivation has gained popularity. A field
experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of various organic waste materials on the
performance of Pleurotus ostreatus. The effect of materials was investigated using nine
treatments such T1- Banana leaves, T2- Banana leaves+vermiwash, T3- Banana leaves+Biogas
slurry, T4- Paddy Straw, T5- Paddy straw+vermiwash, T6- Paddy straw+Biogas slurry, T7-
Sawdust, T8- Sawdust+vermiwash, T9-Sawdust+Biogas slurry. Each treatment was replicated
three times in a randomized complete block design. The data on spawn running time (days),
fruiting bodies formation time (days), harvesting time (days), number of caps, cap diameter(cm),
strip length(cm), strip girth (cm), yield, and biological efficiency were collected. The standout
performer was the combination of banana leaves with vermiwash (T2). T2 showcased the
shortest durations for spawn running (31 days), fruiting body formation (40 days), and harvesting
(7 days), resulting in a substantial yield of 109.3 grams. It also recorded with the highest average
number of caps (24) within the growth area. Moreover, T2 exhibited superior physical attributes
with larger cap diameters (14 cm), strip length (8.7cm), and stipe girths (7.1cm), yielding 116.92
grams and an impressive biological efficiency of 15.27%. In conclusion, the use of banana leaves
with vermiwash significantly improved the performance of oyster mushrooms, especially growth
and yield. This method not only supports waste management but also presents a cost-effective
cultivation strategy. By harnessing organic waste, this approach mitigates environmental
concerns associated with chemical-based practices, fostering sustainable mushroom cultivation
with heightened productivity.
